Page 102 of The Path to Loving Him
“Okay.” I shift uncomfortably. “So I should just get naked?”
“That’s usually how baths work,” he replies.
Right.
Wanting some privacy, I turn away from him and remove my bra, letting it join my clothes on the floor. I don’t know if it’s the slight chilliness in the air or the fact that Ryland is behind me, but my nipples are hard as stones. With one light breeze, a very feral moan might fall past my lips.
I work on my thong next, slowly lowering it and avoiding contact with my legs. When I’m done, I say, “Okay, I’m naked.”
He clears his throat behind me, causing me to look over my shoulder. He’s staring at the floor, his neck muscles tense. “Give me your hand.”
I slide my fingers across his palm, and he lightly clutches my hand as he helps me into the tub, guiding me to sit. When I’m settled, he asks with his eyes closed, “You good?”
“I am, thank you.” Then I cover my breasts with one hand and say, “You can open your eyes, Ryland.”
“You sure?”
“I’m covered.”
He opens his eyes, and I watch in fascination as his Adam’s apple bobs while his eyes roam down my body, to my toes, andthen all the way back up where my arm is pressed into my breasts. I can see the disappointment in his eyes, but he masks it with a slight lift of the corner of his lips.
“Are you comfortable?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“Because I can get you a towel to rest your head on or?—”
“I’m fine, Ryland.”
“Okay,” he says as his hand absentmindedly scratches his chest. I’m not sure why I find that move so incredibly sexy, but I do. “Um, want a drink?”
I almost chuckle at how uncomfortable he looks, but I hold back because there’s something else I want to do.
I drag my finger through the water, then look him in the eyes. “I wanted to apologize.”
His brow pulls together. “Apologize for what?”
“For asking where Mac was. I don’t want you to believe I think you’re doing a bad job parenting her or anything like that. That’s not my impression of you at all. It was just . . . it was a question. A stupid question at that. Nothing negative behind it.”
“Yeah . . .”
“Hey,” I say, pulling his attention. “I mean it, Ryland. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be in your position. You’re doing a great job. She’s a wonderful kid.”
He clears his throat, making it obvious just how uncomfortable he is with the conversation. I’m not sure this man knows how to take a compliment, a serious one. It becomes more obvious that he doesn’t when he says, “Well, if you need anything?—”
“Wait.” I reach out and grab his hand before he can walk away, but I use the hand covering my breasts, causing his eyes to narrow in on me. “Shit, sorry,” I say, covering up with my other arm. “I didn’t want you to leave just yet.”
He wets his lips, looking down at me now like I’m a piece of steak ready to be devoured. “Why not?”
Yeah, why not, Gabby?
You should let him leave.
Let him give you your privacy.
But . . . God, I want him around.
I want him near me, with me, talking to me.
